The Pleasure of Cooking!

Now that the kids are home, I cook almost every day, and I mean real cooking!! Cooking one whole chicken for chicken rendang, or a big pot of beef curry, to name a few. But it is indeed a pleasure to see the kids enjoying mum's own cooking, even though there are not many dishes per meal ;-)

Today I baked blueberry muffin using the instant mix - just add eggs, cooking oil (I used corn oil), and water (i used some milk instead). Last Sunday I made dadih and by today they are ALL GONE!!

I wish I can put up some pix my my intant muffins, but my camera is with Ayi (my no.3 child), who's on a holiday in Kuching..

Not so eventful days, these few days, but they kept me busy nevertheless!! I keep myself occupied with the kids while they are still around...

Thinking of my CICC friends esp Ellen!

Who are my CICC friends? They are a bunch of very nice people whom I met during my e-learning training at CICC , Japan way back in Aug-Sept 2004.

We spent 7 weeks together, commuting daily from Kita-Senju (north of Tokyo) to downtown Tokyo. We also spent the weekends together visiting interesting places there (including going to flea-markets). One of the sweetest outings that we had was a day trip to Hakone - we had to leave very early in the morning to catch the first train from Shinjuku to Hakone!!

in the cable car on the way to Hakone

We also played ping-pong and sometimes booked the karaoke room for our night activities.

Final ping-pong night

Let's see if I can remember their names:

1. Yudi of Jakarta (met him when we visited Jakarta recently).
2. Rara of Semarang
3. Siriwan of Bangkok (will meet her next month. She also came to Kuala Lumpur 2 year ago)
4. Liang of Beijing (met her and hubby in 2004 in Beijing)
5. Ellen of Xiamen (DH is meeting her today!)
6. Anousak of Vientienne
7. Sovan of Phnom Penh
8. Mahes & Akhil of Katmandu
9. Brian, Kwey, Kay of Rangoon
10. Mr Hiep & Mr Binh of Hanoi (met them last year in Hanoi)
11. Mr Altengeral of Ulan Bataar
12. Jerry of Shanghai
13. Touhid of Dakha, but he's now residing in Sydney

DH is in Xiamen right now. He had a couple of meetings on Saturday and Sunday. Today is his day off, before flying home tomorrow. So, tonight he's meeting Ellen!! How I wish I am there too. Ellen who was newly married when we met in Tokyo, now has a beautiful daughter.

Ellen, if you are reading this, just remember that ONE DAY I WILL go to Xiamen, ok??

Meeting Pak Jitno Widodo at Shamsuri's place

Last week Pakdin managed to trace Pak Widodo, a long lost teacher of his. Since both of us went to the name school, I also had the privilage to know this great Biology teacher, even though he didn't teach me.

Today there's a wedding reception At Shamsuri's home for his daughter, Hanum. A few of us planned earlier to use Shamsuri's place for us to meet up with Pakdin bringing Pak Widodo and missus as special guests. The target time was 4pm.

I had to fetch my son Ayi from his college at 1.30 pm, so from there I decided to go straight to Pakdin's house, before moving on. Soon another friend, Shakry arrived with his missus, Ila. We left Pakdin's place at 3.30pm, stopped by to fetch Bapak and missus, and headed straight to Shamsuri's place.

Pak Widodo, came along with a wedding gift for his "cucu murid" (i.e. the bride), and a piece of old photo to show to us. Pak thought Shamsuri's in the photo when the latter visited his house during Hari Raya (in those days, when it was Raya time, those from outside Kelantan couldn't go back so they ended up visiting the teachers' houses, including Pak's). Shamsuri told Bapak and us that he actually WAS there (at bapak's house) but unfortunately he was not in the picture (maybe he was the one who snapped the photo??). Those in the photo were YB Hamim, Amir and another guy (gosh! I forgot already!!). The photo was taken in 1975!!

Shamsuri and missus with Pak Widodo

Then Bapak asked Shamsuri to write the names of those appearing in the photo, and the obedient student obliged immediately:


Pakdin was the main photographer, so I need to wait for him to get the group photo for this blog, but in the mean time here are some of my shots:

Dr Muin, Pakdin (at work) and Shakry(our school soccer goalkeeper in 1975-1976!)

More pix can be found at Pakdin's public galleri at "Sepetang Bersama Pak Widodo"

I came back straight from there, arriving home at 5.45pm.

Fotenote: Thank you Shamsuri & Mrs for allowing us to have the "Jejak Kasih" at your function ;-)

Cikgu Bahar's Wedding Invitation

Cikgu Bahar's second child, Hernani will have her wedding reception on 17 th June 2007, and cikgu has extended his invitation to ALL his former students from my alma-mater.

Here is the invitation card (ignore the part where he put my name, because he has already shot the mail inviting ALL his former students!). Please click on image to get a clearer version :


So far there are many of my friends who have agreed to attend the event. Those who would like to join in, please email me or send a private message to me.

More Pix at KGSAAS

These pictures are not really in order.

As Cikgu Mahadzir arrived

It took so long for Cikgu to meet the other teachers, and finally managed to have something to munch.

Pakdin, Cikgu Mahadzir, Cikgu Dr Tengku Abd Aziz @Kujit, Kamal

Pakda and Amri greeting Cikgu Sharif when he arrived.

Cikgu-cikgu also had fun looking at old photos that one of us brought along!

Kak (Dr) Rosnah of UM and Kak Normah chatting with Mr Sharif

More pix to be added later, ok?

Class of 75 at KGSAAS

Yesterday our "eldest" seniors had a gathering at KGSAAS, Shah Alam.
A few of us who do not belong to this group, but are active in the forum, were invited ;-)

Some pix:

Shamsuri Sujak, Cikgu Mahadzir dan Idris


Pakda, Ustaz Alwi and Cikgu Sharif

Dr Wan Azman W Adnan (Man Panje) smiling at the camera

One for the album - Pakdin, Cikgu Mahadzir, Mr Sharif, Ezani (Can't differentiate between x-teachers and students!)


Idris, Ustaz Alwi, Nazan n Razali

Amri, Ireen and K Normah

Tok Wan Rusli

It's Belated Teacher's Day for Aina's school

Today Aina is celebrating Teacher's Day at her school. From Monday until yesterday, the school was busy with their semester examination (to be continued next Monday). The school decided to use today's short schooling day to celebrate Teacher's Day.

Just like most mums, I was busy preparing for today. They are having makan-makan (feast), so Aina wanted to bring choc muffins. Thanks to the intant muffin mix, my work was made easier yesterday. The whole evening was spent baking them. There are 40 students in the class, and 15 teachers are involved in teaching them (for both the regular and the Agama sessions). Aina wanted at least one muffin for each of them, students and teacher. That's a lot of muffin!!!

Is that all? No.. There are gifts for the teachers to be prepared. Last night both Aina and I were busy wrapping the tumblers and plastic containers (Tupperware, that is!! Getting them at dealer's price makes them more affordable!), tying the ribbons and clipping the little cards.

This morning Aina got up early, and looked forward to going to school!! AS for me, nothing can beat the pleasure of seeing a happy kid!!

Anyway, to the teachers who have taught Aina, Terima kasih banyak-banyak!! I hope they like the gifts - the gifts are nothing compare to what they are doing to educate my girl!

Hearty Hazila

Yesterday I managed to meet up with a fellow alumnus of my alma-mater, Hazila (Class of 1990) for lunch at The Summit.
It was a brief but very exciting lunch (partly because Hazila was paying for the lunch, hehehe!!).

We had fish and chips at Mandy's, at my request. Mandy's used to be my favourite hangout place in 1999-2000 when I was attached to PRIME College (now absorbed and known as SEGI College) which was located on the 5th floor of the shopping complex building. It was nice to be able to meet up the restaurant co-owner, Eddie.

Back to the lunch meet, I was reminded that Hazila was in A-level Programme, PPP (now InTEC) as a student while I was a lecturer there! Hence we have many common associates. Many favourite names came out - Awi tops the list, Ninie, Amigo, "Daddy", Wak, Amin, Imran, Sarina, Shaz, Muzai, Bad, Zaitul, to name a few!! Some of these people are still in contact with me, some are not :-( I wonder where they are now... They gave me good memories both during their a-Level time, as well as their university time (they were in 3rd year in UK while I was doing my MSc in York, UK).

Too bad lunch time for Hazila is only from 12.45-2.00pm, otherwise we would have much more to talk about!! Never mind Hazila, we'll definitely meet up again - and the next time it will be my treat, ok?

Happy Teacher's Day

Happy Teacher's Day to ALL teachers, in whatever form or name that you're known of.

Today is a special day for all the teachers in Malaysia. Teachers, be it in kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, universities, or even the informal Quran teachers, they deserve a thoughtful wish from their students.

Despite leaving the full time teaching profession for almost 2 years, I still receive many greetings too! One of them was from somebody who herself is a teacher now (teaching in a Nursing College), while another was from my student whom I taught way back in 1990-1991!!

To all my former teachers, you are most remembered on this day, definitely!!!

My favourite poem for this special day is one composed by our own Usman Awang:

Guru O Gu

BERBURU ke padang datar
Dapat rusa belang kaki
Berguru kepala ajar
Ibarat bunga kembang tak jadi
(dedikasi kepada Hari Guru dan guruku tercinta)

Dialah pemberi paling setia
Tiap akar ilmu miliknya
Pelita dan lampu segala
Untuk manusia sebelum jadi dewasa.

Dialah ibu dialah bapa juga sahabat
Alur kesetiaan mengalirkan nasihat
Pemimpin yang ditauliahkan segala umat
Seribu tahun katanya menjadi hikmat.

Jika hari ini seorang Perdana Menteri berkuasa
Jika hari ini seorang Raja menaiki takhta
Jika hari ini seorang Presiden sebuah negara
Jika hari ini seorang ulama yang mulia
Jika hari ini seorang peguam menang bicara
Jika hari ini seorang penulis terkemuka
Jika hari ini siapa sahaja menjadi dewasa;
Sejarahnya dimulakan oleh seorang guru biasa
Dengan lembut sabarnya mengajar tulis-baca.

Di mana-mana dia berdiri di muka muridnya
Di sebuah sekolah mewah di Ibu Kota
Di bangunan tua sekolah Hulu Terengganu
Dia adalah guru mewakili seribu buku;
Semakin terpencil duduknya di ceruk desa
Semakin bererti tugasnya kepada negara.
Jadilah apa pun pada akhir kehidupanmu, guruku
Budi yang diapungkan di dulangi ilmu
Panggilan keramat "cikgu" kekal terpahat
Menjadi kenangan ke akhir hayat.

USMAN AWANG
1979

Pledge for Nuur Qistina

Last week I got a message from Nazrol about his only baby, 6-month old Qistina.
She's suffering from liver cancer.
To know more about it, please visit Qistina's site.

Qistina and her parents have my deapest sympathy. I pray for Qistina recovery too.

Any donation can be made to:
Maybank Nazrol Hafiz - No Akaun154017298056.


This is no scam!!

Tupperware Convention 2007

Venue: Sunway Resort Hotel Date: 12 and 13 May 2007

A very special photo:

with Mr David Wong,
Area Vice President, South East Asia and Managing Director, Malaysia,
Tupperware Corporation

Another photo with Mr David Wong

A fun Pix, during the tea break:

Group Photo:

Mega Vision

Group Photo after the Gala Dinner:

Looking for Mr Lee Soon Ching

Mr Lee Soon Ching was my Chemistry teacher when I was in form 4 and five (1978& 1979). I wrote about him here.


Today I googled his name again, and came across this page (an old one, I think) that listed the names of principals of schools in Perak. Mr Lee was listed as the principal of SMK Yuk Kwan, Batu Gajah. And... Mr Toh Ah Huat was listed as the principal of SMK Sam tet!!

Fully aware that the information could be outdated, I called the school. The lady who answered my call told me that Mr Lee was the principal there, some years ago, and he retired in 2003!! I asked her if any of the teachers knows his whereabout, and can help me trace him, she said that most of the teachers now are new ones. She however told me that Mr Lee now resides somewhere in Ipoh. So, after thanking her, I gave her my name and contact number - I asked her to pass my contact number to anybody who can pass it to Mr Lee.

Anybody who's reading my blog here knows his whereabout, please e-mail me. I really appreciate it!

Johny Wong

Johny Wong, of Wong Photographer, Kota Bharu. He was the official school photographer for the school magazine in 1975. I think he was also there for the 1974 Opening Ceremony of the school, but i wasn't there yet, so I can't confirm.

Actually Wong Photographer was THE photographer back then in the 70s, and I bet it still maintains its reputation. Wong was the prefered photographer for the royalties and the elites of Kota Bharu.

It was indeed a pleasant surprise to meet Wong again yesterday during the school function. This time he came with his young daughter.

Johny at work:

Note the "all-purpose" box he's standing on!

The box couldn't do, so he stood on the table! Luckily he's a petit chap!

This time, Johny brought his daughter to help out. She's now a TESL student at UPSI, who's having her semester holidays.

More text will come later. Now my girl wants the pc :-(

Graduation Day - SMSTMFP

I don't think I have time to compose my story/report yet, but I really want to put up some of the pix here (to fellow Farisians, please go to the last pix!!):

Our forum's "Avicenna" receiving his folder from the Regent

View of the Hall from the front of Block B

This lab is on the ground floor, nearest to the stairs (along the common corridor). During my time (70s) it was a Physics lab, but now it's a Biology lab. In front of the lab is the small space where we used to have our "Taman Sains" where we had a few rabbits caged.

View of the basketball court from the end of Block C (where the photographed Biology lab is located)

This is the view of the fence behind the school block. The roof on the left-hand side is part of the Industrial Arts workshop (in the 70s). In those days, the vierw outside the wall (it used to be only chicken-wire fence) would be the infamous "Tok Kelana's House" ;-)

This is the view from the end of Block A, facing the Dining Hall (in the background)
I have an old pix taken from almost the exact point more than 30 year ago. Check the last picture here .

Guess who's the guy in black??

The First Meet Since 1958!!!

Last Friday I managed to bring my pa-in-law to meet his old friend, Tuan Haji Hamdan, who also happened to be my principal in 1978-1979. Both of them were classmates in 1958 when they were in Sultan Idris Teachers' College, Tanjung Malim, which is now known as Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).

We left Shah Alam just after the Friday prayer, and in less than 20 minutes we were at Tuan Haji's house in Petaling Jaya.

It was a very emotional meet and I managed to capture the early moments:




It was an interesting afternoon meet- they talked about their common friends, some of whom have passed away :-(
What I remember is that they have 5 friends by the name of Yusof, and all of them hailed from Terengganu!!

I couldn't get myself to take any pix while they were having the conversation - it was so personal and private.

Howver, my little girl, Aina, who came with us, agreed to snap this pix before we left:

PIL, me, Tuan Haji's missus and Tuan Haji (my MIL was not well, so she couldn't come along).

With the modern communication facilities (mobile phone, internet, etc..) do we have to wait that long to meet our long lost friends?? We'd better not!!

What a Short Long Weekend!

It was supposed to be a long weekend, and it was, but to me, I felt like it was just 2 short weekends being closed to each other.

Last Thursday was a public holiday but Fridays was not. No.4 and No.2 came back on Wednesday evening, No.5 came back on Fri - right after his price-giving ceremony. no.1 arrived back on Friday night.
On Saturday we went up Frasser's Hill (minus no.2 and no.3) for just one night. The following day (Sunday) we came back to S Alam, since Aina had to go to school on Monday :-(

On Monday night I baked some instant muffin (those readily-mixed ingredients where you only need to add water, eggs and some cooking oil, mix them well and bake!) but was gone by yesterday morning. So, yesterday I baked more!!

Yesterday afternnon, Nuni (no.1) baked some lasagna for the family. We went to visit Ayi (no.3) at his college, and brought some food for him and friends. On the way back we sent Bok (no.2) back to his rented appartment in Cyberia.

Ayi is sitting for his IB -starting today!! All the best to Ayi!

Today we had another long day - all 6 of us went to the LCCT for Nuni's flight back to Penang (departing at 1.30pm), and Nafis' flight to Kota Bharu (departing at 3.40pm).

Nafis and Nukman in full school attire with Aina, taken after Nuni boarded for her flight.

We left Nafis to board at 2.30pm and headed to Nukman's school down South. By 5 pm we reached my bro-in-law's house in Mutiara Kemuning to meet up some other in-laws. Aina got to meet several of her cousins too!

Now, we are back at home, an Aina is lonely again - and looks forward to the school holidays (in abt 3-week's time) when at least her two brothers (in the pix above) will be back again.